Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) Deliveries

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UC San Diego Health has the resources and staff to offer vaginal birth after Cesarean (VBAC) delivery as an option for women whose health histories make them appropriate candidates. In fact, our hospitals have the highest rate of VBAC in San Diego County. (Read more about our VBAC rate and other quality metrics.)

Preparing for Your VBAC

If you’ve delivered a baby by Cesarean section and are pregnant again, you may be able to choose between a repeat C-section and attempting a vaginal delivery. Your prenatal care provider will discuss the risks and benefits with you, and help you determine if your history makes VBAC an appropriate choice.

Women who are attempting VBAC will labor in the Labor & Delivery units at our hospitals. This allows us to offer continuous monitoring and 24/7 access to anesthesia providers and a state-of-the-art surgery suite, should the need for a C-section arise or other complications occur.

Recovery After a VBAC

Your recovery period will be spent in our postpartum unit, a quiet environment where specialized nurses care for mothers and new babies. Semi-private and private rooms are available. The average stay after a VBAC delivery is two days.

Birth Stories: VBAC at UC San Diego Health

Learn about VBAC at UC San Diego Health from patient Samina Dossani and Dr. Julia Cormano.